North London Mums is the place for everything of interest to North London Mums and North London Dads. We want to help other parents to find the best activities to do with their families, the best shops and websites to visit, and the most child friendly restaurants to eat in. We believe in supporting local businesses and other mumpreneurs and in building communities.

Weekend Round up - fun come rain or shine

Lots of great things on this weekend as usual. We round up the best....

All weekend

This weekend is the Kings Place Festival in Kings Cross. There are 100 events in four days including lots of great things for the family. All tickets cost £4.50 online. Highlights are included in the listings below but do check out the fab programme for tuba picnics, tots concerts, musical storytelling and much more. We have never been to Kings Place but will defintiely be checking it out this weekend as a good way to introduce toddlers to live classical music.

It's also The Mayor's Thames Festival this weekend as festival season draws to a close. Billed as "A totally multicultural and all-embracing celebration of London and the Thames... a spectacular and hugely enjoyable event that also succeeds in promoting environmental awareness and community spirit” this sounds like one not to miss and there is absolutely loads going on all along the river including: live music, storytelling, and barge racing! Full programme here.

The Haringey Children's Literature Festival starts on Saturday and runs until 17th September. Taking place at libraries across the borough, there is absolutely loads on including storytelling, theatre performances, workshops and book readings. All events are free. Full timetable here.

At last, the long awaited In The Night Garden Live lands at Brent Cross. We've heard great things about this touring show and can't wait to take our little ones along. Full details here. North London Mums will be reviewing the show soon.

Saturday

Gail's Artisan Bakery has a garden party in Hampstead. The festival aims to bring people to their high street and encourage them to shop in local stores. There will be lots of stallholders, lovely food, live music and face painting all to say thank you to the local people who welcomed Gails when it set up its first store in Hampstead all those years ago.

Gayton Road in Hampstead has the Gayton Festival. A family afternoon with a special focus on childrens entertainment. As usual a childrens entertainer is provided, live music including a jazz band and an aspiring pop band from one of the local schools.

Kings Place has Fairytale Fantasia at 11.15. The first of two interactive narrated concerts that include introductions to the instruments. This programme includes Maurice Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite, Paul Dukas’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and Roald Dahl’s wonderfully grisly Cinderella, set to music by Rory Boyle. For all the family – 5 years and up! Full details here.

Stoke Newington Library has a musical production of Oscar Wilde's 'The Model Millionaire' 2.30 - 4pm for participants of the summer Reading Challenge. Refreshments will be provided after the performance. For age 4-12 years, booking necessary, please contact the library. Free event.

Stoke Newington Farmers' Market takes place between 10 and 2.30. This is the only weekly all-organic farmers' market in the UK. All the farmers come from within 129 miles of Hackney - and most come from within 60 miles of the market.

Long Lane Pasture, a North London hidden gem, has Spiders, Bees and Bugs 10am-5pm. A chance to find out more about these small creatures and to observe the wasp spiders and resident bees.

Hackney Children's Theatre presents Church Mice - opening show of Hackney Childrens Theatre by Adrenalindance. There are two Shows 10 :30 and 12:30 , meet at St Augustines Tower opposite Marks And Spencers on Mare st Narrow Way . Spaces are limited so please reserve a place at info@adrenalindance.com stating which show you would like to attend and how many of you .

Sunday

Kings Place has a Tots Concert with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment for 2-3 year olds at 11.30am. This 45-minute Tots workshop will be performed twice. OAE bassist Cecelia Bruggemeyer and flautist/recorder Rachel Beckett will lead children through an enchanting world of music and stories. A chance for the under-threes to engage with professional musicians and explore how they can make music for fabulous stories.Full details here.

Another great day out is the Muswell Hill Festival and Donkey Derby taking place in the delightful Cherry Tree Woods. There will be donkey rides, food stalls, face painting and a miniature steam ride. All in aid of the London Centre for Children with Cerebal Palsy.

Today is Queens Park Day.There is lots of fun planned for the day with a dog show, eagle and vulture show, acrobatics, tea dance, children's entertainer, and (bizarrely) ferret racing. Lots of food and stalls also and a great community atmosphere.

There is jazz in the park at Swan Lane Park, a hidden gem near to Woodside Park Station. Claudia Morris performs her new album and there will be pimms, cream teas and vegetarian Indian food from the wonderful Ranis. Come rain or shine as shelter will be provided. 3.30pm, cost £5 but children go free. Bring a rug.

Bruce Castle Museum, Tottenham has a free family arts and crafts drop in 2-4pm. The theme is different each week. More details here.

Shopping

There is a vintage fair at the truly lovely Pineapple Pub in Kentish Town (an old North London Mums haunt from the days before North London toddler came along...) 1pm - 6.30pm and selling clothing, jewellery, bric a brac and food.